Zelensky on negotiations in Abu Dhabi: We are ready to support steps toward de-escalation

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that during negotiations between delegations from Ukraine, the US, and Russia in Abu Dhabi, the parties will focus on the information the Russian delegation will bring. He also stressed that Ukraine will support any initiatives aimed at de-escalation.

The president made this statement during a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Kyiv, according to a Ukrinform correspondent.

"Of course, we will support de-escalation steps if there are similar proposals from the Americans. That's one thing. Secondly, our team will receive information from the Russian side that has left, understanding the positions of Ukraine and the United States of America, and will now return with some feedback. And, in fact, this feedback will be discussed by the parties," Zelensky said.

He added that he will be in constant contact with the Ukrainian team. “We agreed with our team that I will be in touch, and they will contact me. We will hear what they [the Russians] have brought, what they are ready for, what compromises the Russian side is ready for,” the president said.

As reported, the second round of negotiations between the delegations of Ukraine, the US, and Russia was scheduled for February 1, but was postponed to February 4-5. NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov heads the Ukrainian delegation. Russia will be represented at the upcoming security working group talks in Abu Dhabi by a delegation headed by Igor Kostyukov, head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (GRU).

A trilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi (UAE) took place on January 23-24. It focused on the parameters for ending the war. The military also identified a list of issues for further meetings.